Esperanza Spalding (CRF 2018) will release a new album with Brazilian music legend Milton Nascimento titled Milton + esperanza on August 9 from Concord Records. The album is the result of a long admiration Spalding has held for Nascimento’s work—an admiration that began when she first heard his voice as a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in the early 2000s.
The album brings together reimagined classics from Nascimento’s catalog, original compositions by Spalding, and covers from artists such as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Wayne Shorter. It reflects years of informal connection between the two artists, beginning with a duet in 2010 and occasional visits to Nascimento’s home in Rio de Janeiro. The project came into focus when Nascimento’s son suggested, during his father’s farewell tour, that Spalding produce a record for him.
Much of the recording took place in Rio, and Spalding worked closely with Nascimento to build a process around his daily routines. The album preserves the natural quality of his voice at 81, without relying on editing to alter its sound. Spoken interludes and musical choices throughout the album reflect their collaborative relationship, Nascimento’s life experience, and Spalding’s deep respect for her elder.
The supporting band includes Matthew Stevens, Justin Tyson, Eric Doob, Leo Genovese, and Corey D. King, and guest appearances come from Paul Simon, Dianne Reeves, Guinga, Lianne La Havas, and others. The album includes reinterpretations of major songs like “Cais” and “Outubro,” as well as a version of “Earth Song” that underscores the environmental concerns the track originally raised.
Milton + esperanza is more than a musical collaboration—it’s also an exploration of intergenerational exchange and the role of elders in creative life. Spalding, who grew up around older adults in foster care homes her mother worked in, has continued to work closely with artistic mentors throughout her career. The album reflects that approach, valuing not just the final product but the process, time, and care that went into making it.
Learn more and pre-order the album here.